Focus on Recruiting Emerging Climate and Adaptation Scientists and Transformers
Funding Agency:
- National Science Foundation
Focus On Recruiting Emerging Climate and Adaptation Scientists and Transformers (FORECAST) seeks to facilitate the transition from status quo graduate career preparation to a student-centered model with a particular emphasis on building entrepreneurial and innovation capacity at emerging research institutions (ERIs). Transformers are scientists ready to tackle the challenges the nation and world are facing due to climate change. This opportunity will adopt the spirit of multiple directives for the research community; for example, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on Earth System Science and the Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education report on Engaged Research. These directives call on the research enterprise to support the building of a robust scientific workforce ready to work with communities in addressing societal challenges. Through convergence research approaches to address societal challenges, the transdisciplinary researchers engaged in FORECAST will foster community resilience and the translation of research outcomes for societal benefits, as well as gain a broader understanding of the governmental context related to these issues. A new generation of scientists trained in "engaged research" will be expected to have a national impact in communities that may be disproportionately affected by climate change impacts. The program will build cohorts of innovative scholars from the full spectrum of diverse talent at emerging research institutions to include groups historically excluded in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participants, who are senior students in undergraduate programs and students who are in master's degree programs, will be supported through intentional professional development activities. FORECAST participants must be US citizens or permanent residents.
FORECAST proposals will fall into three categories: Track 1, Track 2, and FORECAST Planning grants. Track 1 will support one Coordination Hub, to coordinate support for rising seniors from emerging research institutions (ERIs) or historically excluded and underserved groups as part of a national cohort to participate in structured professional development opportunities. Track 2 projects will support cohorts of Master's degree students at ERIs. Mentorship and capacity building should be central to the cohort approach. FORECAST Planning grant proposals will build capacity at ERI institutions and with the appropriate partners to undertake the activities necessary to establish a future FORECAST track 2 cohort.
Standard Grant or Continuing Grant or Cooperative Agreement
NSF expects to make up to 16 awards per year contingent upon availability of funds. One Track 1 award for the coordination hub, up to five Track 2 awards for graduate student cohorts, and up to 10 FORECAST planning grants at ERIs.
$15,000,000
Internal Review for Limited Submission: If you plan to submit a proposal for this funding opportunity, please send a concept paper to Shawn Chester, Associate Vice Provost for Research Collaborations at shawn.chester@njit.edu by June 1, 2024 for institutional internal review. The concept paper should include title, project summary, intellectual merit, boarder impact, investigator team, budget summary and any specific institutional resources or cost-sharing needed. In case the number of concept papers exceeds the institutional limit requirement, the internal review will provide selection recommendations for institutional submission.
January 29, 2025: Deadline for Track 1 "Coordination Hub" proposals
April 30, 2025: Deadline for Track 2 and Planning Grant proposals
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Aisha Morris, telephone: (703) 292-8500, email: geoforecast@nsf.gov
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Lisa Rom, telephone: (703) 292-8500, email: geoforecast@nsf.gov